The Secretary of Freedoms at the Sudanese Journalists Union, Iman Fadl Al-Sayyid, has said that 360 cases of violations against journalists have been documented, with 90 percent of media institutions in Sudan destroyed.
She told Radio Tamazuj that Journalists have been subjected to harassment daily by the parties to the conflict since the outbreak of the war between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April 2023.
According to Fadl, since the outbreak of the war, the situation has been deteriorating rapidly due to the targeting of journalists and media outlets by the conflicting parties from the first day.
“All media outlets have been subjected to violations or near-total destruction because they are located near conflict zones, such as the Sudanese Armed Forces General Command. Media institutions have been destroyed, and the war has displaced journalists, causing them to stop working,” she said. “We can say that more than 90 percent of journalists working in newspapers and media institutions in Sudan have become unemployed, and some work in other professions to meet life’s requirements.”
Fadl added: “The war has put journalists in a dilemma between their commitment to their families and their work to convey the truth and shape public opinion.”
She stated that many journalists have been arrested in large numbers and not a day passes without a journalist being arrested in areas controlled by the warring parties.
Fadl pointed out that lists of journalists’ names have been published, describing them as supporters of one of the conflict parties.
“There are journalists known for their affiliation with the Islamic Movement and have a specific line and supporters of one of the conflict parties,” She said. “This exposes the Sudanese nation and people to grave violations. Journalists are a civil force calling for an end to futile wars and violations.”
Fadl called on the international community to pressure the parties to the conflict to stop the war and to protect journalists as stipulated in international agreements. She also called on journalists to publish accurate information and combat misleading information carrying hate speech, and adhere to digital and physical protection guidelines.
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